Meet Our Board of Directors

Board Chair- Cecil Averett

Since his retirement in 2001, Cecil Averett has been involved in local community theater as an actor, director and technical designer. He has performed in productions for TMCC, RLT, Nevada Rep, and TWNN. Cecil has directed several productions for Theatreworks, including “Cat in the Hat” and “Walk Two Moons”. After serving 10 years in the US Marine Corps, he became the manager of the electrical test department for Space Systems Loral, which produced weather and communications satellites for the US government and private industry. He has been a substitute teacher and a CASA, and continues in his desire to support a platform that nurtures the talents of youthful artists.

Past President- Lisa Mancini

Lisa is the Director of Call Center Operations with ORC International with expertise in all facets of Call Center management and all phases of data collection. The cornerstone of her career has never wavered: strong focus on achieving and exceeding all goals inclusive of operations and management, financial and outstanding results inmanaging diverse groups of people.

Results and strong performance is her footprint. Her main responsibilities are centered on sold fiscal management, consistent quality assurance outcomes, strong productivity and maintaining a scalable workforce. Lisa’s experience began as a telephone interviewer for C/J Research in Chicago, IL. She moved up through the ranks into various leadership positions within the company and was solely responsible for opening, directing and expanding the Reno, NV operation in 1989. Lisa has a strong history in community service and has served in numerous leadership positions over the years.

Treasurer- Barb Anderson

Barbara Anderson is a CPA working as a part-time consultant. Previously she was employed at International Game Technology PLC (IGT) for 15 years in Corporate Accounting with experience in corporate consolidations, SEC financial reporting, and as an international liaison accountant. Barb has a strong history of community service having served as Treasurer as well as donating her bookkeeping services for several non-profits.

Secretary- Bert Wells

Bert Wells has performed as the Administrative Director, with overall management responsibility for all Kids Kottage facilities, in an outstanding manner for almost 17 years. He has cultivated a strong network of support with numerous community resources that have been of great benefit to the children of Kids Kottage. Furthermore, he has recruited, trained, and nurtured a cohesive staff team to effectively operate the Shelter. Mr. Wells is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and retired from the U.S. Army as a Colonel following a successful twenty-three-year career. He also has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. During his military career, he held various command and administrative management positions of increasing responsibility at all levels of the U.S. Army.

Board Member & Volunteer Coordinator- Terri Kolstrup

Terri Kolstrup is a Cardiac Device Technician at Renown Heart Institute and has been working with these group of doctors for 17 years. She has been a Girl Scout Troop Leader/Cookie Mom for ten years and various other volunteer positions throughout the years such as soccer coach, baseball coach and Boy Scouts helping with her son now age 26 and daughter age 15. She is very excited to begin the next phase with being part of Theatre Works and learning all of the ins and outs of how theatre works on stage and behind the scenes and truly appreciates this opportunity.

Board Member- Jolie Knapp

Jolie is third-year Girl Scout leader, with a troop that has tripled in size over the last year, and has girls ages 5-12. It is a very rewarding- and never boring!- experience. Organization and efficiency are her strongest skills, and she is excited to bring those, and other skills, to the TheatreWorks board. While she was very involved in theater in high school, at UNR her major focus became science, where she graduated with a Neuroscience degree. She is on the path back to science, ideally to either disease pathology or genetic research. She is also a voracious reader, lover of all things Disney and an avid traveler..when funds allow. She has visited twelve countries, lived in two, and plans to visit every continent at least once.

Board Member- Toni Taylor

Toni grew up in the Reno-Tahoe area and has been in real estate for over 15 years, both in Nevada and California. Toni is married to her high school sweetheart, Mother to Misty and Travis, and Grandmother to Carter, Brock and Cody.

Enthusiastic, professional, hard-working, honest and loyal describe Toni’s love for life. Real estate is her passion but her greatest reward is helping clients make their dreams come true. Her clients will tell you she’s “One in a Million” because they become her second family.

Board Member- Paige Stevenson

Paige Stevenson is a longtime Reno resident who loves and does what she can to support the arts in the community. She is the mother of two young adults, both of whom have benefited from Theatreworks and other Reno/Sparks community artistic organizations.